Two students have tragically died in a suspected murder-suicide at a residence hall in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The incident occurred on Monday, May 19, at Wilgus Hall, a student residence. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Police Department responded to a call for a disturbance at the hall. Upon arrival, they found two individuals injured from gunshot wounds, as reported in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/university-of-wisconsin-platteville-shooting-052125-1-ad9fe462544c40f68adfc6e6bd1c841e.jpg)
One of the victims has been identified as Kelsie Martin, 22, who succumbed to a gunshot wound. She was the Wilgus Hall Assistant Resident Director and a psychology major from Beloit, Wisconsin. The other individual was Hallie Helms, also 22, who tragically died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Helms was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major from Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Both Martin and Helms graduated just two days before the incident, on Saturday, May 17. The deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide, with authorities describing it as a “targeted and isolated” incident. According to reports by WMTV, Fox 11 News, and Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), the tragic event has shocked the university community and prompted an outpouring of support.
Following the deaths, final exams for the week have been canceled as investigations continue. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has emphasized that no other individuals are suspected to have been involved in the incident and that counseling services are being made available to anyone affected by the tragedy. The close-knit community is coming together to support each other during this difficult time.
In a statement released on Facebook, the university expressed gratitude for the support received and highlighted the strength of their community. The UW-Platteville Police Department is collaborating with authorities to gather more information about the incident. The university community is mourning the loss of the two students and reflecting on the impact of the tragedy.
The tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support systems within educational institutions. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is focused on providing resources and assistance to students and staff as they navigate this challenging time. The incident has shaken the campus community and serves as a somber moment of reflection on the devastating effects of violence and mental health struggles.